Waterloo Region Commercial Real Estate Events

Colliers Waterloo Region's Annual Market Outlook Breakfast

During the first quarter of each year, Colliers Waterloo Region hosts the Market Outlook Breakfast, anexclusive client event for industry movers and shakers.

A panel of Colliers experts shares current market intelligence, discusses historical trends, and makes educated predictions about the future of our regional commercial real estate industry. We study transactional challenges, celebrate the successes, and we showcase activity volumes that continue to set area benchmarks.

Waterloo Region is evolving and we are in the centre of it all. Don't miss your opportunity to attend this informative, insightful event - to request an e-invitation to the Market Outlook Breakfast in 2019, please feel free to connect with one of our professionals or email collierswrevents@colliers.com.

Waterloo Region's Featured News

Real Estate Management Services (REMS) today published its 2018 Sustainability Report reinforcing REMS’ commitment to environmental stewardship for clients and occupants, and inspiring positive change amongst its staff.
This year’s report showcases REMS’ approach to sustainability across its managed properties, important milestones, and ongoing initiatives. The REMS sustainability team has also set out an ambitious series of goals for 2019-2020 that includes:
monitoring and tracking energy consumption at 100% of our managed office and mixed-use properties.
increasing the percentage of certified buildings under management to 60% by the end of 2019.
setting specific reduction goals for greenhouse gas emissions.
The report also reflects the increasing influence that occupants have over the environmental impact of buildings and the need for occupant engagement and programming.
“We are truly passionate about sustainability, energy management and health and wellness. Our sustainability report not only reinforces our dedication but is also instrumental in our pursuit of continuous improvement in 2019,” says Phillip Raffi, National Energy and Sustainability Manager, Real Estate Management Services.
The...

In the 1980s and 1990s, Toronto was considered a polite but uninspiring place—an
adolescent city when compared to the more mature metropolises of the world. This all
started to change shortly after Y2K. The skyline grew as new buildings were developed in the
downtown core. As provincial regulations such as the Places to Grow Act (implemented in
2005) and the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (2006) started to have real
impacts, intensification began to evolve in neighbourhoods all over the city. By 2006, it was
easy to see Toronto emerge as a truly interesting, dense, culture-filled, culinary, exciting
place.
Gone are the days when people would resent and criticize the central place the city holds in
the country’s media and political landscapes. Now those very same people begrudgingly
admire Toronto. They love the energy, restaurants, swagger, originality, pace and vibe.
Toronto has changed. While the city still has problems, like transit inadequacy and lack of
affordable housing, over the last 15 years, Toronto has grown into one of the most charismatic
and desirable cities on the planet.
The development community played a critical role in...

Spaces, an Amsterdam-born creative workspace, opened its first location in Canada in 2017, at 180 John Street.
From the first moment it opened its doors, it redefined the way Toronto businesses look at office space.
Spaces is a creative work environment with a unique entrepreneurial heart. It provides a dynamic work environment for just about anyone: from freelancers and small businesses to larger corporations and SMEs. It’s also ideal for frequent business travellers or those looking to host a meeting outside of their usual business environment.
Vibrant. Flexible. Inspirational.
This Spaces location is not your typical office building. Nestled in the tree-lined west side of John Street, it is just steps away from Grange Park, the Art Gallery of Ontario, and the pulsating and trendy Queen Street that is rated as one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world by Vogue Magazine. Standing eight storeys tall, Spaces has a magnificent view of Downtown Toronto from the rooftop garden terrace and seven floors of dynamically designed and...

Aon has named Colliers International a Gold Level Best Employer in Canada.
The firm’s standing is reflective of this year’s Engagement Survey wherein it performed strongly on employee engagement, leadership, performance culture and employment brand.
This year marks the third time in a row Colliers has been recognized as one of the top companies to work for in the country.
”Once again, our employees, with their valuable input and dedication to creating a positive, productive work environment, have made Colliers a Best Employer in Canada,” said David Bowden , CEO of Colliers International in Canada. “We strive to provide our people a workplace where they can pursue their passion, perform their best and succeed. We rely on our employees’ input to reach this goal, and thanks to their voice and commitment, we are making great strides and reaping the rewards of our collective efforts.”
View the full list of Aon best employers.
...

30% of office workers feel that marijuana in the workplace should be moderately or very unrestricted
As of October 17th, 2018, marijuana will be legal in Canada, opening the door to significant societal changes as well as the need for usage regulations within the workplace.
To place this cultural shift in context, Canada is the first G7 country to implement national legalization for recreational cannabis and only the second country in the world after Uruguay, which enacted similar legislation in 2013.
For this reason, it is safe to say that there are a number of unknowns in terms of exactly how this will play out day-to-day within Canadian society, economic structures and the diverse corporate environments within which we work.
Charting new territory
While Bill C-45 known as the Cannabis Act legalizes marijuana across Canada, it leaves it up to each individual province to determine how and where they are going to sell the product.
Given this level of autonomy, there are valid questions arising regarding the specifics of retailing, marketing and level...

Why and How VersaCold Built the Country’s Largest Temperature-Sensitive Warehouse Facility
Whenever you walk down the frozen and refrigerated food aisle at the grocery store, chances are, you come across a product VersaCold has meticulously ensured would arrive safe, fresh and of the highest quality to its rightful spot inside the freezer or cooler. From fresh produce, to frozen treats, to imported meat and seafood, VersaCold has a hand in a large portion of the food items people serve on their tables every day.
As Canada’s largest temperature-sensitive supply chain solutions company, VersaCold partners with producers, manufacturers, distributors and retailers of temperature-controlled food products, and provides a full suite of capabilities including warehousing, transportation, processing, packaging and other logistics services – all so consumers can enjoy their favourite foods along with the peace of mind that their meals are guaranteed fresh and safe to eat.
PUTTING CONSUMERS’ SAFETY FIRST
“It’s the heart of what we do; it’s our DNA,” said Mark Dienesch, Senior Vice...

Firm wins Best Canadian Property Consultancy, Property Consultancy Marketing, Property Consultancy Website and Development Marketing
Toronto, September 20, 2018 – For the eighth year in a row, Colliers International took home the Best Property Consultancy, Canada honour at the International Property Awards gala , which this year took place at The Toronto Marriott Downtown Eaton Centre Hotel on September 20. The firm won three more awards at the event: Best Property Consultancy Marketing, Canada; Best Property Consultancy Website, Canada; and Best Development Marketing, Canada (for Edmonton, Alberta’s 9Triple8 Jasper).
This year also marks the eighth time in a row Colliers has won Best Property Consultancy Website; the sixth time it has received the Best Property Consultancy Marketing distinction; and the second time it has entered and won the Best Development Marketing category.
The Property Awards are the largest, most prestigious, and widely recognized program throughout the region. The Awards are judged by an independent panel of 80 industry experts. Judging focuses on design, quality, service, innovation, originality,...

Acquisition significantly expands existing operations and strengthens national service offering
Toronto and Montreal, September 11, 2018 – Leading global commercial real estate services firm Colliers International Group Inc. (NASDAQ and TSX: CIGI) today announced its acquisition of Landmark Properties (“Landmark”), a market-leading asset advisory services and real estate management firm. Landmark and its team of more than 30 professionals provide a full range of real estate asset advisory services including asset management, property management, leasing and lease administration, and project management services to local, regional, and national clients. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
The acquisition significantly expands Colliers’ existing operations in Quebec and aligns perfectly with its national Asset Advisory Services and Real Estate Management business, providing specialized real estate asset management locally and nationally for institutional-quality real estate owners including risk management, sustainability plans, property management and specialized professional staffing to support complex, multi-market listings .
“Quebec is an important and growing market in Canada and home to several of Canada’s largest institutional...